Guilty Pleasure
"So I Married an Anti-Fan" is a mediocre drama at best but also highly addictive. I did not see the original, so I can't compare it, but the appeal of this drama has nothing to do with the story and everything to do with the chemistry between the two main leads. The concept is standard, two people who can't stand each other falling for each other. It may be cliché, but that's what this drama gets right. Unfortunately, the rest of the drama is filled with an annoying rivalry and a 2nd toxic couple that gets way too much screen time. Still, it was all more entertaining than not, until the last episodes at least, and the exact kind of romcom junk food I sometimes crave.This drama stars Choi Tae Joon as Hoo Joon, a worldwide pop star whose public image contradicts how and who he is in real life. Is he the most believable pop star? Not really, but his low-key arrogance did work well for the role. He is matched with Choi Soo Young as Lee Geun Young an ambitious reporter who is also super passive until an encounter with Hoo Joon pushes her over the edge. I guess it's pretty cute to have the pop star play the anti-fan, and I liked her in the role. Their story is filled with annoying misunderstandings, ridiculous coincidences, and cute banter, and the latter is what got me hooked. No matter how corny the story got I was completely invested and couldn't wait for the next episodes. The chemistry is just really good, and it's been a while since I've seen a couple this fun to watch... corniness and all. Neither of them gives truly amazing performances, but I still loved watching them flirt and fight on screen.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have Hwang Chan Sung as JJ matched with Han Ji An
as Oh In Hyung, two truly unlikeable characters. Both are Z list stars desperate for fame and jealous of their former colleague Hoo Joon's success. If you like characters that make you so mad you want to yell at the screen then they fit the bill. They both do a good job at being awful but their acting is also super overdramatic, which does fit the style of the drama. Their whole storyline from start to finish is a mess though and takes up way too much of this drama's time.
Other characters are great too, including Hoo Joon's Hottie manager, the reality show staff, Geun Young's friends, and the real scene stealers... Geun Young's parents. The whole cast honestly does a good job with this weak plot. You know a show is bad when they have to constantly rely on flashbacks... the same flashbacks... over and over again. I also will never understand what Korean's expect from celebrities so these scandal-trope storylines are hard to get into. The whole premise of creating this reality show also made no sense to me either. The show within a show concept just felt like an excuse to force them into cute situations, which worked for me, but that's what makes this drama more of a guilty pleasure than great.
Would I watch this again? Sure with, with my finger ready to fast forward when necessary (especially every "who's my daddy?" scene). I would even endure listening to the same 3 annoying songs over and over... I swear "Baby, youuuuuuuuuu" will haunt my nightmares... And I would definitely skip most of the final episode which was painfully slow and seemed thrown together without a plan. I get that covid delays may be somewhat to blame, but it was still really bad.
Overall, If you don't like the main couple this drama doesn't really have much else to offer. I liked them so much I would watch them team up again for a better storyline. I admit I had a lot of fun reading Viki commentary while watching which probably made me tolerate bad moments more. This is definitely a watch with friends and talk back at the screen kind of drama. If you're looking for a meaningful script with depth, you've come to the wrong drama. At most you get some basic character growth. If you're a romance fan with a high tolerance for tropes then you might end up being a fan like me. I felt a little like the leads, falling for what I initially expected to hate. "So I Married an Anti-Fan" may not be a great drama but Drama youuuuuuuuuuuu... I'm still with you!
Was this review helpful to you?
Are these toxic fans for real in this country?
This is not the first drama where toxic fans are highlighted. Even in Her Private Life and a couple of other dramas, the toxicity of fans is clearly shown.As a foreigner who just loves k dramas, it is very disturbing for me to digest and believe this.
Do these toxic fans not have a life of their own?
Why does the entertainment industry and the government allow them to destroy lives like this?
Can there be severe punishment for threatening and spreading falsity?
Why don't they make dramas or documentaries revealing this sickness because it truly is an obsessive disorder.
The k entertainers work and train so hard, give up their privacy, live a tough life albeit with wealth.
We have to let them live and breathe..
What right does a toxic fan have to mess around with their lives?
It's akin to murder - of their soul!
Please k drama producers and directors - create awareness that this is not acceptable.
Even when a negative review is posted on this website,the toxic fans respond with sharp claws.
Jeeeez......get a life of your own!!
Was this review helpful to you?
Great first K-drama
'So I Married an Anti-Fan' was my first Korean drama and it definitely met all and more of my expectations, even for avid K-drama viewers it was a great show. The story line was amazing, nothing was predictable which made the show that more enjoyable. The actors really portrayed their characters well, I would occasionally forget it was a k-drama rather than a reality show. There are a total of 16 episodes with the 16th being a recap, the ending personally wasn't what I wanted/expected but that out of all things was the biggest thing for me. Like every drama there were characters I disliked, to the point where it was annoying seeing them on screen but all I can say is that it gets better. Overall, the drama was everything I expected and more, I absolutely loved watching the show and couldn't get enough of it. I'm glad this was the first drama I watched to introduce me to the world of Korean dramas.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I'm surprised of the overall rating, why 5+?
I'm surprised of the overall rating, why 5+?I honestly don't know where to start with reviewing this drama
Don't jump at me as I am just providing this viewpoint from a realist lens. So ladies if any one treats you like they treated the fl. Make sure your red flag buzzer SCREAMS.
I personally haven't read the manhua so not sure if this follows the same story plot, if it's this cringe so this isn't related to the manhwa at all
Plot/story was not good
Poor script writing
Acting was average
Music was average to descent
The flow and story characters were lacking badly
These are some of the bullet points that stood out clearly
1- No-one apologises to her, atleast not sincerely (ml says first empty measly sorry ep10)
2- fl lead is a total push over, she even smiling and chatting (near the end) to a cheating narcissistic ex and to the abusive boss "I felt a little guilty..." wtf dude everyone did fake pretend 180 in their personality... they still DID NOT apologise (I'm sorry followed by isn't that a bit comforting is gaslighting manipulation101)
3- can't blame her though since it's seems like hierarchy, misogynistic culture, it's kinda the norm sadly.
4- The ml is an egoistic gaslighting narcissist
5- The other manipulative low esteem abusive guy lead also displays same authoritarian behaviour towards the other second female lead character and ends up with her 🤢
6- Romance is forced and feels unnatural, lacking chemistry. Poor communication and ml decides to distance himself to sort things out leaving fl to cry out of self pity 🙄 (neglecting girlfriend for multiple months!)
7- Fl is constantly threatened, told to be patient, stay in her lane, used and misunderstood by almost everyone. Like she let's a stalking fan who abused her in public, stay in the celebrities home (instead of taking necessary actions of someone barging in)
They all do as they please despite fl protest/annoyance and ignoring her opinion
The only abuse I approve is the fl's father beating the ml👌
Did I say nobody bloody apologises for any of their actions (the 2 sorrys' in there were empty, the ml says I'm sorry after he talks about his struggles and the fl says you don't need to say sorry lmao), even the mum rudely speaking down to her didn't even utter any apologies urgh... The only decent individual is the manager of the ml
2/10 just for the acting effort and seeing Taeyangs cute brother (his chemistry with his colleague was way better!)
Why did I watch this you ask, because Prime is the only service I had, didn't have anything else to watch (although it took me too long to finish this 🙄) and I have a stubborn habit on finishing what I started. It was just tolerable enough to continue it giving me the chance to write this essay as I was watching along. Only watch this if you are bored af and don't mind sleeping through it 😂
The only that will stick to me is most likely "wariso" 🤣
Was this review helpful to you?
Worst of the Bunch of Adaptations
This is definitely my least fav version of this adaptation. It doesn't help that they had to have a 3 year delay of this drama. It was totally understandable, considering Choi Tae Joon's close relationship with quite a number of the guys involved in the Burn Sun Scandal that started early 2018 and picked up steam towards the end of the year when this should have been broadcast. It also didn't help that the posters they choose got a lot of hate comments from female viewers for the way it looks totally misogynistic. A very poor choice considering the #MeToo movement was starting to get more hype.The drama itself reflects the timeframe it was filmed in. The first 6 episodes, had this aired on time, would have had dozens of negative forum posts, I have no doubt in my mind. It was tone deaf on just how awful treating women, especially those who aren't considered "rich", "talented", or "pretty" by industry standards, and it doesn't sit any better knowing it's just for the drama either. After a while the poor treatment just grates on you.
The time allotted to characters was so out of line as well. The 2nd leads had FAR too much screen time and story than the OTP that I found myself fast forwarding through a majority of it because it was simply repeat after repeat of the same issues and arguments. Halfway through, I was like... I get it... there's jealousy and betrayal... now move on with the story.
The romance went from 0-100 in a nanosecond. Wasn't sure how all that emotion came about... Once there, it was cool. I liked the mid-half the best of this drama. But then the last 3 episodes ruined the whole vibe with this 2 episode forced 'distance' between them. Beyond cliche even if it mirrors the adaptive material. And now I feel like I wrote far more about this drama than the value I placed on watching it. It was fine for a quick one time watch just to know what this version was going to be after such a long wait...and to see Park Shin Hye's husband finally be in a "popular" drama where people know and remember who he is.... lol.
Was this review helpful to you?
If you're craving a simple rom-com. This is for you.
I just finished watching this drama and it was good.The main leads are cute. I love their chemistry, the way he started falling for her and their kissing scenes are so cute. Hahaha.
The title really explains the story, and I'm up for it. I'm totally into this kind of drama when the guy either hates the female or has some sort of issue with her.
I don't know why, but Choi Tae Joon is so Handsome here. Like omg. I cannot resist his facial expression and just everything he does.
I would totally watch this again, but probably on just some scenes. Especially romance scenes... With their kissing scenes. I'm shocked that they had a lot of kissing scenes and I'm happy for that. Lmao. Idk what else to say..
Oh, also... I hate JJ! But that's shies his good of an actor he is haha. Love you ChanSung🫶
1/25/23 / 3:43pm
Was this review helpful to you?
Weird
The drama Be My Princess was a bit strange. The age gap between the leads felt massive, making their dynamic hard to buy into. Furthermore, the plot lacked logic—it’s difficult to imagine why anyone would want to marry a man suffering from amnesia, especially when he was so mentally disturbed that he believed he was a historical figure from ancient times.Because the story felt so nonsensical, I ended up fast-forwarding through a significant portion of it. To make matters worse, the final two episodes were a complete waste of time, as they consisted almost entirely of flashbacks from the rest of the series.
Was this review helpful to you?
I felt awkward with the "villain" female lead but the three main leads are great, I really like their acting.
What I didn't like in the drama is the storyline. It got dragging in the last episodes. It's also quite childlish in my eyes, maybe because I watched too many dramas already that it felt that it is not for me anymore. It's good for those who are still beginning to watch korean dramas or to a younger audience maybe.
Was this review helpful to you?
The cast were good, especially Choi Soo Young who played here mischievous yet understanding character pretty well. While the character development of the lead pairing was palpable, it did not reach a point where you feel like the supporting cast was not part of the picture at all.
With a breath-taking mix of comedy, romance, friendship, bromance, jealousy, and a lot more, the journey of Geun-young and Hoo Joon in this drama was satisfactory
My Rating : 7.5/10
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Half Good, Half Annoying
I will admit that while I liked this drama overall, I almost quit very early on because the female lead's character was really getting on my nerves. You threw up on guest of honor at this event you're supposed to be reporting on, and your boss, who was already awful to you finally snapped and fired you and you think the celebrity orchestrated it?Like, she kind of took no accountability like maybe her own attitude and behavior may have been her demise. Also, what is the protest meant to do? Only in a romcom could that turn into a TV show. lol
Once both main characters started to chill tf out, it actually got kind of cute at times.
Was this review helpful to you?
an anti-fan of this bs
okay lemme start....... the only thing that kept me going throughout the drama is seeing how worse it can get. and whats wrong with the writer and director of this show?? what do they want us to see there is no smooth flow in the story they are hating each other and then kissing the next minute!!!??? they didnt clearly show how the story developed and the marrying anti fan tv show should be the main concept instead it was a small part in this drama despite the name and atleast they should stay in the same house or atleast show the bickering sides of both so it would look good and cute instead only aired the parts where she was maad......the acting was AWFUL only one who did great acting was sml/JJ but the directors didnt know how to portray his character possessive love? psycho? or a good guy gone bad character?? naaa they mix fruit juiced everything and wasted the talent and also kim min gue was great but idk what did his charac served to this drama, it couldve been better if they gave some importance to him
it couldve been a great drama if the screenplay was good but they missed it all up
the only okay couple in this drama is the writer and pd couple every couple other than them are cringe and their story didnt make sense, its all beacuse of the director of this drama they selected great cast but its a waste if you dont use em properly
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The Worst
The story had potential to be funny and romantic, I mean what could be better than enemies to lovers romcom I was excited to watch it, i thought it would be hilarious the first few episodes, but it was extremely boring. The acting was soooo awkward and the chemistry between the two was not that good. There was no story whatsoever, there were literally lashing at her for everything she does and she cries about it and he comes to hug . Like what the heck i, it is just a scandal followed by another scandal. No communication and his lame excuse for not revealing his information, no one is forced to say everything about themselves, it's their private life even if they are a celebrity. Also, the second lead they were insufferable like how toxic can you be to not let someone go, they fight whenever they meet with each other. What angers me is that they still stayed together after they ruined each others lives. The music is sooo bad and cringy I woudn't believe the number 1 idol star made this kind of music. The thing about his dad was sooo unnecessary and didn't add to the story.Was this review helpful to you?
